WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
Well, grumpy-looking Bernie Sanders and his home-made, gifted Vermont mittens got famous. Isn’t it wonderful when the internet comes together?
Bernie + My Neighbor Totoro 
Bernie + Friday (creator’s Tweet)
On a more serious note, we had a LOT to celebrate in the United States this past week! You will of course know that we had an indoguration for Major and Champ Biden. To celebrate the day, Nigella Lawson shared her #recipeoftheday, Bitter Orange Tart.
THIS WEEK’S BLOG POSTS
A lot of people came to ol’ Lucy Maud Montgomery’s defense for her 1931 adult novel, A Tangled Web, but I stand by my review that highlights the worst of this typically lovely writer.
I got my first Pearlsong Press author over to Grab the Lapels this week! In her Meet the Writer feature, Kathy Barron delighted readers with her positive attitude toward her own writing, encouraging several of my female followers to reconsider how they navigate spaces more confidently.
NEXT WEEK’S BLOG POSTS
On Tuesday, I will share brief reviews of three poetry collections by the Fat Poets’ Society, published with Pearlsong Press. This is where I first encountered Kathy Barron’s work.
Thursday kicks off #ReadingValdemar. After some consideration, I found a way to review the novel Foundation by Mercedes Lackey and start a conversation about genre writing that should appeal to all of my readers. Let me know what you think about the changed format, please.
BOOKS ADDED TO THE TBR PILE
Thanks to Emma @ Book Around the Corner and Kim @ Traveling in Books for their recommendations.
Grab the Lapels 
Thanks a lot for the mention. I hope you’ll like Lantana Lane.
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You’re welcome, Emma 🙂
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A good selection of books there!
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Thank you! The one about waste has my attention in particular. Circa 2009 I would teach this article about how racist city policies often legalize dumping waste and building factories in poor communities of color, and the article covered the health issues that plague residents. I’m glad to see this is an expansion of the idea (though I’m not sure if it’s the same author; I can’t remember who wrote the article).
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The Bernie memes have been so much fun!
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I saw one of Biden looking sadly out the window that simply says, “I have mittens, too.”
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I saw that one too – genius!
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And Bernie is now in charge of (the Senate’s half of) formulating the national budget. How good is that! Looking forward to adding your Lantana Lane review to the Australian Women Writers Gen 3 (1919-1960) page. And next year how about a guest post for AWW Gen 4 Week (1960s, 70s, 80s)?
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Those decades are more my jam, so it’s possible! I’ll need some recommendations, though given the way you and the other Australian bloggers disagree, I’ll have to weigh my options. 😉
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I’ll be interested to hear what you think of Becoming. I’m seriously questioning my decision so far to not have ready any Obama books yet-am I missing out? People are raving about them.
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I decided to add Becoming to the list because it doesn’t matter what you think about the book itself, it’s now a cultural touchstone. I constantly hear people reference, “Well, in Michelle Obama’s memoir….” Like, a lot-a lot. I’m going to get the audiobook, which she reads herself.
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I loved the Bernie memes, more so than any set of memes since feral hogs 🙂
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I love when the internet gobbles something up.
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I love indoguration! I recently learned that Trump was one of only 2 US presidents not to have a pet in the White House. Which considering he has a kid the perfect age for a pet seems like yet another strike against him!
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Anyone else forget that he has a young son?? Where was this kid the last four years?
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I’ve seen some jokes that Donald and Melania forgot him in the White House when they left on Wednesday because no one’s seen him. I feel sorry for him because it’s hard to imagine they’re particularly affectionate parents, but maybe it’s a good thing that he’s been able to stay out of the spotlight.
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I always wondered if see those two in action as parents would have made them seem more human.
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I bet it would have though I’m not sure Trump cares about being seen as humane. It definitely could have helped Melania, who always seemed to come off as very cold and unfeeling. I’m just surprised Trump didn’t do more to show himself as a caring family man. Seems like that would have played well with a lot of his supporters.
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I’VE NEVER SEEN THAT WOMAN LAUGH ONCE.
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Part of me feels sorry for her but I also think she had to have known exactly who Trump was when she married him. I think her life must be so unhappy but it’s hard to feel particularly sorry for her.
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If Baron Trump somehow escapes his upbringing and becomes some sort of socialist, human rights activist, I will be so happy.
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Kellyanne Conway’s daughter is SO anti-Kellyanne Conway. It makes me happy that Conway’s own child is pointing out her lies and hypocrisy.
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Oh yes! She is just out there telling the truth and it’s amazing!
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Some great new additions to your TBR pile, Melanie. I will try to read your Montgomery post, but be assured that I won’t be coming to its defence as I haven’t read it. Your opinion is safe with me!
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Thank you, Sue, I feel reassured! 🙂
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Eat Joy was a good collection – hope you enjoy it!
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I added this one because I saw you reading it on Goodreads!
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The Bernie memes have been a gift this week, truly. Looking forward to seeing your new Valdemar format with the genre discussion! I definitely have a bad habit of skipping over any sort of series or companion books posts if they’re not a series I’m already involved in, but genre talk is always fun!
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I opened the discussion question for my first post to any genre, using something I saw in the Valdemar book as a spring board. I hope it goes over well!
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The Bernie memes were so fun, I agree. And it’s wonderful how many recommendations we collect from other readers. Do you find that you’re picking up recommendations from people, whether co-workers or clients, at the library now that you’ve been there awhile, too?
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Now, don’t let your head explode but you may be surprised to learn a lot of librarians don’t read. Okay, okay, now that your head is exploded let me reassure you that my head exploded too. A lot of patrons recommend books that aren’t something I would pick up, like Amish fiction or thrillers. But I appreciate talking with them and hearing how excited they are!
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